Administrative Assistant Positions Revamped, Replaced

Administrative Assistant Positions Revamped, Replaced

Justin Siewierski

Editor in Chief

js2010@plymouth.edu

This past Monday, The Clock obtained information that there will be future faculty evaluations in regards to all who hold administrative assistant positions. According to Plymouth State University’s directory, over twenty-eight administrative assistant positions could be in jeopardy. In an information session held by Robyn Parker September 24th, the cluster initiative calls for all administrative assistants to “support functions that will be needed as [Plymouth State University] moves to integrated, open lab style learning.” In an email to The Clock from Robyn Parker, Dean of the College of Business Administration, University departments will be “phased out” over the next 18 months to make way for the implementation of the cluster structure. This includes the disintegration of department chairs, along with a new model of programs, and “cluster support.” This also eliminates some of the current duties that administrative assistants currently hold.

This isn’t to say that current administrative assistants will be replaced. However, according to Parker, Monday’s session “included resources to assist in developing new skills to prepare for new opportunities that will arise over the course of the next couple of years.”

Parker’s email stated that [administrative assistants] are encouraged to develop the skillsets needed to support clusters.”

As this story is still developing, The Clock will continue to reports on its developments, with a follow-up to be in the October 13th